Back to Featured Interviews >>

MEET DIANE LEE WILSON
by Bonnie O'Brian

What books influenced you most when you were growing up?

Diane Lee Wilson

I devoured anything and everything about horses, fiction or nonfiction. I especially loved reading Marguerite Henry’s books and KING OF THE WIND is still one of my all-time favorites. When a fifth grade assignment required writing to a favorite author, I, of course, wrote to Marguerite Henry, and she wrote back! We exchanged a couple of notes and I received a signed photo of her with her two horses, which I still have. I remember how thrilled I was so I always take the time to answer reader mail that I receive.

What was your first job when you graduated from college?

After earning bachelor’s degrees in English and Fine Arts from the University of Iowa, I accepted an offer from longtime friends to work at their horse training facility in Texas for a year. Mucking stalls certainly didn’t require a college education but I absolutely loved that time in my life. I lived in the barn in a converted stall so I fell asleep listening to the horses move about their own stalls. I got to do “night watch” for pregnant mares (I had to set my alarm to wake up every hour) and more than once witnessed a foal’s birth, an experience that still gives me a chill of pleasure. I learned how to “green break” horses—teach them how to wear a bridle and saddle and, ultimately, carry a rider.  (Yes, I got dumped several times!) And I got to work with veterinarians, farriers, cowboys, and all sorts of horse lovers. I know that just listening to these people talk influenced characters I later created for my books.

What kinds of things inspire you to write?

Everyday life: people I meet, stories in the news, snippets of songs.

Have any of your books earned special recognition?

My first book, I RODE A HORSE OF MILK WHITE JADE, won the California Book Award for Juvenile Literature and BLACK STORM COMIN’ won the Spur Award for Juvenile Fiction.
BLACK STOM COMIN’ was in the 2006 Middle School California Collection; FIREHORSES was in the 2008 Senior High School California Collection; I RODE A HORSE OF MILK WHITE JADE was in the 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 Middle and High School California Collections and in the 2006, 2007, 2008 Middle School Collection and the 2008 High School Collection.

Do you enjoy researching or do you prefer working totally from your
imagination?

I absolutely love research! Because my books—so far—have been historical fiction I work hard to make sure every detail is correct and to bring that time period to life for readers. I visit museums and libraries; I read diaries and literature from the time period; I travel to the site if feasible; I study photographs and take my own. I always end up with files upon files of interesting facts, only some of which fit into the finished book.

Do you work on more than one book at a time?

While I habitually write one book at a time, I always have two or three future book projects percolating. As I come across pertinent clippings or inspirational quotes, I add them to the appropriate file, along with notes for character descriptions and plot twists. Ideas are always the easiest part of writing!

Do you write every day and do you have set hours that you work?

Yes! That’s something that I can’t emphasize enough for aspiring writers. Writing is more about discipline than talent. You have to sit down every day and work at it. Some days your writing will be good and other days the words just won’t flow. On the “sludge days” I try attacking the story from a different point, perhaps working on a chapter out of sequence or creating a backstory for a minor character so that I understand him/her better. Writing is a craft at which you only get better through practice.

When is your next book going to be in book stores?

RAVEN SPEAK is due in Spring 2010. It is about a Viking girl named Asa who has to do some amazing things (and make some serious sacrifices) in order to protect her clan. I thought I knew who she was and how the story would proceed when I began the book, but about halfway through she took hold of her story and my jaw just dropped; I was, and am, really impressed with her strength.

When you do school visits, what question do children ask you most?

What’s your horse’s name? (And to answer that: Her registered name is “Smoldering” but her nickname is “Sammi.”)

What do you most want the students to get out of your school visits?

To read good books!! Or read so-called “bad books.” But just read! When a student says, “I don’t like to read,” I respond, “You just haven’t found the right author yet; keep looking.” There is such a pleasure in finding an author who can speak to you, who can frame the words that you feel inside yourself. It’s such a soul-satisfying connection that I wish it for everyone.

What other jobs you had before you became a writer/illustrator?